broken

For the verb: "to break"

Simple Past:	broke
Past Participle:	broken

Multiple Entries:
  broken    break  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
broken /ˈbrəʊkən/ past participle of break1

▶adjective (of a language) spoken falteringly and with many mistakes, as by a foreigner.

– derivatives
brokenly adverb,
brokenness /ˈbrəʊk(ə)nnɪs/ noun.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
break1

▶verb (past broke; past part. broken)

• 1 separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.

  ■ (of waves) curl over and dissolve into foam.

  ■ (of the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus) be discharged when the sac is ruptured in the first stages of labour.

• 2 make or become inoperative.

• 3 interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or journey).

  ■ stop so as to have a rest or holiday: they broke for coffee.

  ■ lessen the impact of (a fall).

  ■ disconnect or interrupt (an electric circuit).

• 4 fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement).

• 5 crush the strength, spirit, or resistance of.

• 6 surpass (a record).

• 7 (of an attacking player or a military force) make a rush or dash: Mitchell broke quickly, allowing Hughes to score.

• 8 (of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell.

  ■ (of a storm) begin violently.

  ■ (of dawn or a day) begin as the sun rises.

• 9 (of a person's voice) falter and change tone.

  ■ (of a boy's voice) change in tone and register at puberty.

• 10 (of news) suddenly become public.

  ■ (break something to) make bad news known to.

• 11 succeed in deciphering (a code).

• 12 use (a banknote) to pay for something and receive change.

• 13 (of two boxers or wrestlers) come out of a clinch.

• 14 make the first stroke at the beginning of a game of billiards, pool, or snooker.

• 15 unfurl (a flag or sail).

• 16 Phonetics (of a vowel) develop into a diphthong, under the influence of an adjacent sound.

▶noun

• 1 an interruption or pause: a break with the past.

  ■ Brit. an interval during the school day.

  ■ a short holiday.

  ■ a change of line, paragraph, or page: a page break.

• 2 a rush or dash, especially by an attacking player or team.

• 3 informal an opportunity or chance.

• 4 a gap or opening: a break in the hedge.

• 5 an instance of breaking, or the point where something is broken.

• 6 (also break of serve or service break) Tennis the winning of a game against an opponent's serve.

• 7 Snooker & Billiards a consecutive series of successful shots.

  ■ a player's turn to make the opening shot of a game.

• 8 a short solo or instrumental passage in jazz or popular music.

– phrases
break one's back (or neck) put great effort into achieving something.
break the back of accomplish the main or hardest part of (a task).
break even reach a point in a business when profits are equal to costs.
breaking and entering (in North American, and formerly also British, law) the crime of entering a building by force to commit burglary.
break a leg! theatrical slang good luck!
break of day dawn.
break someone's serve win a game in a tennis match against an opponent's service.
break ship Nautical fail to rejoin one's ship after absence on leave.
break wind release gas from the anus.
give someone a break informal stop putting pressure on someone.
make a clean break remove oneself completely from a situation.

– phrasal verbs
break away escape from the control or influence of a person or practice.
break down

• 1 cease to function or continue; fail.

• 2 lose control of one's emotions when in distress.

break in

• 1 force entry to a building.

• 2 interject.

break something in

• 1 accustom a horse to being ridden.

• 2 wear shoes until they become supple and comfortable.

break into

• 1 enter forcibly.

• 2 suddenly burst into (laughter, song, or faster movement).

break something off abruptly end or discontinue something.
break out

• 1 (of something undesirable) start suddenly.

• 2 escape.

break out in be suddenly affected by an unpleasant sensation or condition.
break something out informal open and start using something.
break up

• 1 (of a gathering or relationship) end or part company.

  ■ chiefly Brit. end the school term.

• 2 (of a radio or telephone signal) be interrupted by interference.

• 3 chiefly N. Amer. start laughing uncontrollably.

• 4 chiefly N. Amer. become upset.

break with

• 1 quarrel or cease relations with.

• 2 act in a way that is not in accordance with (a custom or tradition).

– derivatives
breakable adjective & noun,
breakage noun.

– origin OE brecan (v.), of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
break2

▶noun

• 1 former term for breaking cart.

• 2 historical another term for brake2.

– origin C19: perh. from C16 brake ‘cage’, later ‘framework’.